A2 Collocation Neutral 3 min de lectura

make a reservation

يحجز

Literalmente: To create or perform the act of keeping something aside

Use `make a reservation` to guarantee your spot at restaurants, hotels, or venues before you arrive.

En 15 segundos

  • Call ahead to save your spot at a restaurant or hotel.
  • Use it for travel, dining, and organized events.
  • Prevents long wait times and guarantees your entry.

Significado

This is when you call or go online to save a spot at a place like a restaurant or hotel. It ensures that when you arrive, they have a table or room waiting just for you.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 6
1

Planning a date night

I should make a reservation at that new Italian place for Friday night.

I should make a reservation at that new Italian place for Friday night.

🤝
2

Calling a hotel

I'd like to make a reservation for a double room for three nights, please.

I'd like to make a reservation for a double room for three nights, please.

💼
3

Texting a friend about dinner

The place is packed! Did you remember to make a reservation?

The place is packed! Did you remember to make a reservation?

😊
🌍

Contexto cultural

In the US and UK, making a reservation is the standard for mid-to-high-end dining. With the rise of apps like OpenTable and Resy, it has become a digital ritual. In some cultures, showing up without one is expected, but in English-speaking urban centers, it's often the only way to get a seat.

💡

The 'Under' Secret

When you arrive, say 'I have a reservation UNDER the name [Your Name].' It sounds very natural!

⚠️

Don't be a No-Show

In the US, some restaurants charge your credit card $20+ if you make a reservation and don't show up.

En 15 segundos

  • Call ahead to save your spot at a restaurant or hotel.
  • Use it for travel, dining, and organized events.
  • Prevents long wait times and guarantees your entry.

What It Means

Make a reservation is all about planning ahead. It means you are asking a business to hold a space for you. You are basically saying, "Hey, I am coming at 7:00 PM, please don't give my seat to anyone else!" It is the difference between eating dinner at a table and waiting an hour in the rain.

How To Use It

You usually use this as a verb phrase. You can make a reservation over the phone, through an app, or in person. It is very flexible. You can make one for two people, for a large group, or even for a specific time. Just remember to use the word for to specify the time or the number of people. For example, "I'd like to make a reservation for four people at 8:00."

When To Use It

Use this when you are planning a night out. It is perfect for popular restaurants, busy hotels, or even car rentals. If you are going somewhere fancy, it is almost always required. It shows you are organized and respectful of the venue's time. It is also great for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries to avoid any stressful surprises.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use this for very casual places like a fast-food joint or a coffee shop. You don't make a reservation at McDonald's! Also, avoid using it for appointments with doctors or barbers. For those, we usually say make an appointment. If you just show up at a place without calling first, you are a "walk-in," not someone with a reservation.

Cultural Background

In many English-speaking cultures, especially in big cities, making a reservation is a social necessity. Some famous restaurants are booked months in advance! It is also a sign of status in some circles. If you can get a "prime time" reservation at a trendy spot, you're seen as someone who knows their way around town. Interestingly, failing to show up for a reservation (being a "no-show") is considered very rude and can sometimes result in a fee.

Common Variations

You might hear people say book a table or reserve a spot. In the UK, book is much more common than make a reservation. You can also say I have a booking or I have a reservation when you arrive at the door. If you change your mind, make sure to cancel your reservation so you don't stay on their naughty list!

Notas de uso

This phrase is neutral and safe to use in any situation, from a casual dinner to a high-stakes business meeting. Just remember the 'make' + 'reservation' pairing.

💡

The 'Under' Secret

When you arrive, say 'I have a reservation UNDER the name [Your Name].' It sounds very natural!

⚠️

Don't be a No-Show

In the US, some restaurants charge your credit card $20+ if you make a reservation and don't show up.

💬

Book vs. Reserve

In the UK, people say 'book a table' more often. In the US, 'make a reservation' is the king of phrases.

Ejemplos

6
#1 Planning a date night
🤝

I should make a reservation at that new Italian place for Friday night.

I should make a reservation at that new Italian place for Friday night.

Using the phrase to plan a future social event.

#2 Calling a hotel
💼

I'd like to make a reservation for a double room for three nights, please.

I'd like to make a reservation for a double room for three nights, please.

A standard formal request for travel accommodation.

#3 Texting a friend about dinner
😊

The place is packed! Did you remember to make a reservation?

The place is packed! Did you remember to make a reservation?

Expressing concern about a busy venue in a casual way.

#4 A humorous realization
😄

I made a reservation for one... just me and this giant pizza.

I made a reservation for one... just me and this giant pizza.

Using the phrase to joke about being alone.

#5 An anniversary surprise
💭

I made a reservation at the restaurant where we first met.

I made a reservation at the restaurant where we first met.

Using the phrase in a sentimental or romantic context.

#6 At a busy reception desk
👔

Hello, I made a reservation under the name Smith.

Hello, I made a reservation under the name Smith.

Confirming your arrival at a venue.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase for a restaurant visit.

If you want to eat at 7 PM, you should ___ a reservation.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: make

In English, we always 'make' a reservation, we don't 'do' or 'take' one ourselves.

Complete the sentence for a hotel booking.

I called the hotel to ___ a reservation for next weekend.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: make

The standard collocation for booking a room is to 'make a reservation'.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality of Booking

Informal

Used with friends for casual spots.

Grab a table

Neutral

Standard way to book most places.

Book a spot

Formal

The professional way to secure a space.

Make a reservation

Where to Make a Reservation

Make a Reservation
🍽️

Fine Dining

Dinner for two at 8 PM

🏨

Travel

Hotel room for the weekend

🚗

Transportation

Renting a car for a trip

🎷

Events

A table at a jazz club

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

No, that sounds unnatural. We always use the verb make with reservation.

Use reservation for places like restaurants and hotels. Use appointment for professional services like doctors or lawyers.

It's a bit formal, but still okay. For casual places, you can just say call ahead or book a table.

Just say, 'Hi, I'd like to make a reservation for [number] people on [day] at [time].'

It means they have no more reservations available. You can't make a reservation because every spot is taken.

Usually no, unless it is a very famous or busy spot in a big city.

Yes, you can make a flight reservation, though most people just say book a flight these days.

Most places will hold your spot for 15 minutes. After that, they might give it away!

Yes, a booking and a reservation are synonyms. Booking is slightly more common in British English.

Absolutely! You just say, 'I'd like to make a reservation for one.'

Frases relacionadas

Book a table (To reserve a seat at a restaurant)

Schedule an appointment (To set a time for a professional meeting)

Save a spot (Informal way to ask someone to hold a place for you)

Check availability (To see if a reservation is possible)

Walk-in (Entering a venue without a reservation)

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